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tellingittash · 2 years

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Hey everyone! So today, I finished reading the second edition of “Film Studies: The Basics” by Amy Villarejo. Now, I know there is a 3rd edition, but I don’t own that one. Maybe for Christmas. But I don’t own it now so this is the one I’m talking about. I first got this book because I took a class called “Religion and Film: Screening The Sacred” and our professor gave us the second chapter to read. I decided to find and buy the whole book because, if one chapter is good, then the whole book must be great for my studies. I can kind of see why he only had us read the second chapter. That is the only chapter that trains people on how to read films in a textual way, which is what we were doing for the class. The rest of it is a lot of study on how movies are made and how to think about the contexts of movies and different schools of thoughts about movies, but not a lot that a person would use to identify religious messages in movies. However, I should have read this book earlier because I now, in retrospect, would have found this so helpful in my Critical Approaches to Literature class. So I guess better late than never, right? If you want to think about films more critically, I would highly recommend this book. The material is all pretty great, with chapter 2 being the most practical for, as mentioned earlier, giving you the tools to articulate points about films. However, the book is pretty short and covers a ton of history and theory and concepts all relating to film, but they are pretty shallow as a result of this. This is a good starting place that would introduce you to directions you might want to look more into (from the history of the camera to the way capitalism affects films). But if you already know a lot about film studies or aren’t interested in it at all, probably not something you’d enjoy. But still, very useful to have a way to convey why you like something in a movie. #filmstudies #thebasics #amyvillarejo #secondedition #bookstagram #book #bookreview #bookrecommendations #books #religiousstudies #religiousfilm #religiousfilms #religionandfilm #religiousstudiesnerd #film #filmmaking #filmcommunity #filmproduction #filmmakers https://www.instagram.com/p/ClH0UYurSyh/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#filmstudies #thebasics #amyvillarejo #secondedition #bookstagram #book #bookreview #bookrecommendations #books #religiousstudies #religiousfilm #religiousfilms #religionandfilm #religiousstudiesnerd #film #filmmaking #filmcommunity #filmproduction #filmmakers

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pegghen · 2 years

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Charles Heston as Moses The Ten Commandments (1956) #NoufauxsAttic #GoldenAge #Easter #VintageHollywood #religiousfilm https://www.instagram.com/p/Ccd_d7qvt0L/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

#noufauxsattic #goldenage #easter #vintagehollywood #religiousfilm

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thechreviewer · 6 years

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God’s Not Dead?: Why Faith-Based Films Can’t Find Their Footing

This weekend sees the release of God’s Not Dead: A Light In Darkness, the third and final film in the God’s Not Dead franchise that started with the surprise success of the original film in 2014 that grossed $60 million domestically on a $2 million budget. Though faith-based films have been around since the early twentieth century, a new type of religious film-making seemed to emerge after God’s Not Dead, or at least gained in popularity: low-budget films that overly dramatized the religion. Just last year, nine faith-based films were released in wide or semi-wide release (and living in Arkansas, every one of them came to my surrounding theaters), though not all of them followed the same formula as God’s Not Dead. Nor were all of them as successful at the box office. And as we have seen this year, that outlook isn’t getting any better, as three of the four faith-based films continue the streak of under-performing domestically, including the third installment of the God’s Not Dead, tracking only for a $3 million opening weekend. So are these films performing poorly to their demographic? As a religious individual who loves films, I’m here to explain what these films can do to become relevant again:

Don’t Become Too Preachy:

Saying a faith-based film shouldn’t include dialogue and messages relating to the religion they’re portraying may sound ridiculous, but preaching to a choir already in agreement will do nothing but alienate them. Having characters speak a sermon every time they’re on screen does little in the way of make sense or interest the existing fan base and those the film is arguably not made for. Personally I know some who ONLY go to these sorts of films, yet more recently have been warded off knowing they’re going to see the same bible verses spoken in scenarios that make little sense, with characters that become caricatures of the Christian faith. Some period films, such as Son of God (2014), get leeway because this is how they talked, however, even these films make point of only highlighting the religious side of the argument.

Unrealistic Characters, Scenarios, and Stories:

Piggy-backing on sermons in every piece of dialogue, many of these religious films honestly fail in providing both realistic stories presented in a realistic way. The entirety of the second God’s Not Dead film revolves around a story concerning attack against Christianity. In Arkansas. And being from a town in Arkansas that once held the record for most churches per square mile, I can tell you such an event would NEVER happen. The belief that any sort of persecution against Christians occurs in 21st century United States is laughable and conspiratorial. Professors aren’t going to fail you for believing God exists (God’s Not Dead), nor is the church going to turn on you for admitting amazing occurrences related to God (Miracles From Heaven). And again, no characters are as ‘devote’ as these films portray them as in present day. And by the way, teachers know they can’t talk about their personal religion in school, but officials aren’t going after them in the same way as in God’s Not Dead 2.

Many Films in This Genre is Just Bad:

The God’s Not Dead films are terrible. Many of the cheap period films are just boring. These low-budget faith-based films are mostly just not great, which no matter how devote you are is going to turn you off after a while. Many of the films set in present day are pretty bad for the reasons previously mentioned, while the period films just do not commit to their source material. Turning the story of Samson into a PG-13 film was never going to be embraced. Many of the stories fail to consider these period films need the ugliness from the actual stories, including the sex, violence, and the actual sinful actions. These films are made for cheap and they feel cheap because usually the people in front and behind the camera have no vision beyond exaggerating the ‘faith’ part of the faith-based films.

How Can Faith-Based Films Be Saved:

Though I seem to really be down on this genre, this genre is technically in trouble. Since 2014, there have usually been one or two faith-based films that can get actual good reviews and/or have a good box office run (which usually means getting over about $10 million domestically). And those films are the ones we should be leaning into more. My two favorite examples are The Star from last year and the recent I Can Only Imagine. Last year’s The Star was an animated film that focused on the animals around the birth of Jesus. While the film was only OK, it did remind me of the Veggie Tales films that are so popular for younger children, and honestly its much better than most generic religious films released in the past few years. The other example is I Can Only Imagine, which is blowing up the box office with $48 million domestically so far on a $7 million budget. The film revolves around arguably the most popular Christian rock song and has clearly struck a cord with both devote audiences and those just fans of the song. It also helps that even critics like it well enough. The point is, making movies that only revolve around boring period dramas and unrealistic present pieces are not the ones making the money right now.

More so, just making a good film should always be on the forefront of people’s minds, and to do that you need good directors and good actors in these films. I like Miracles From Heaven well enough only because Jennifer Garner is great in it. All Saints, which did not do great numbers last year, was good because John Corbett was the lead. The Everly Brothers who directed I Can Only Imagine also made the religious-sports drama film Woodlawn, which was also pretty good. The idea that making these films for little money doesn’t work when you have actors in them that plainly are good, or uninspired directors behind the camera.

So in conclusion, this is not a hit-piece on religious filmography nor the Christian religion. Nor am I attacking those who actually enjoy films like War Room and the God’s Not Dead trilogy. But assuming these films are actually good and help turning others to God is hilarious. These films remind me when I was in college and the student ministry would send student pastors around to probe kids sitting by themselves in public. One time they came to me, a devote Christian, and attempted to reaffirm my faith. For thirty minutes. With the usual bible verses and decently drawn pictures and graphs. And when they left me, I honestly felt less forgiving to my faith. This is how these films leave me and many others. And while films like I Can Only Imagine, The Star, and Risen (one of the better period films) do give me some basic hope, faith-based films are in troubled water with little relief in sight.

#ICanOnlyImagine #GodsNotDead #AllSaints #WarRoom #TheStar #Woodlawn #ReligiousFilm #jennifergarner #EverlyBrothers #JohnCorbett #christianity #FilmReview #VeggieTales #SonofGod #LightInDarkness #Samson #CHreviewer

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louisewoodcock · 4 years

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Commune with Shakti the Mother. WE ARE NOW ONE ☝️🐍 🙏🏼💚🔻 🙏🏼 @deadly_doris 🙏🏼 #shakti #kalima #shiva #film #jodorowsky #itwasgonnahappen #holywork #skull #ritual #art #liveartist #poet #religiousfilm #holytext #aloevera #wellness #shadowwork #shadowhealth #life #menses #bloodmagick @chiarascurohealing (at Hulme) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFNtBxTAO5H/?igshid=1blyx6st4qpqg

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jollyuncle · 4 years

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Rabani Jolly - Ruhani Jolly - Film MOOL MANTAR with Great Star Hobby Dhaliwal & Malkiat Rajni ji - Thanks to Dear Bhupinder Singh Bambrah : #JOLLYUNCLE : #punjabifilms, #religiousfilm, #childartist, #Jollyuncle, #amanjolly, #punjabichannel, #punjabivideos, #punjabikids, #hitfilm, #punjablatestvideo, #punjabivideos, #punjabitvchannels, #hindifilms, #unclejolly, #bmpfilms, #punjabimovies, #punjabicomedy, https://www.instagram.com/p/B7upwGQnk4c/?igshid=xl2y7hscc4am

#jollyuncle #punjabifilms #religiousfilm #childartist #amanjolly #punjabichannel #punjabivideos #punjabikids #hitfilm #punjablatestvideo #punjabitvchannels #hindifilms #unclejolly #bmpfilms #punjabimovies #punjabicomedy

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hollywoodmovies99 · 5 years

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Overcomer - Official Trailer (HD)

In Theaters August 23 Visit Site: https://www.overcomermovie.com/ Follow Us on Social: https://www.facebook.com/OvercomerMovie/ https://twitter.com/OvercomerMovie https://www.instagram.com/overcomermovie/ Subscribe to Sony Pictures for exclusive content: http://bit.ly/SonyPicsSubscribe Life changes overnight for coach John Harrison when his high school basketball team’s state championship dreams are crushed under the weight of unexpected news. When the largest manufacturing plant in town suddenly shuts down and hundreds of families begin moving away, John must come to grips with the challenges facing his family and his team. Urged by the school’s principal to fill-in and coach a sport he doesn’t know or like, John is frustrated and questioning his worth… until he crosses paths with a student struggling with her own journey. Filled with a powerful mix of faith, a twist of humor, and a ton of heart, the Kendrick Brothers return to theaters with OVERCOMER, their newest feature following FACING THE GIANTS, FIREPROOF, COURAGEOUS, and the #1 box-office hit, WAR ROOM. The inspiring family film stars Alex Kendrick, Priscilla Shirer, Shari Rigby, Cameron Arnett, and introduces Aryn Wright-Thompson. Opening nationwide on August 23, OVERCOMER dares to leave you filled with hope, inspired to dream, and asks the question: what do you allow to define you? #Overcomer #OfficialTrailer #AffirmFilms #Sony #AlexKendrick #PriscillaShirer #ShariRigby #CameronArnett #AmyWrightThompson Read the full article

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adamwatchesmovies · 4 years

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I Still Believe (2020)

It’s a relief to see a faith-based film that doesn’t aggressively preach to the choir or contain downright sinister implications. I Still Believe seeks to recreate the success that was 2018's I Can Only Imagine by focusing on the music and love story. There are no cartoonish atheists anywhere to be found but considering how formulaic it gets, maybe it could’ve used a few.

Based on a true story, Jeremy Camp (KJ Apa) leaves home for Calvary Chapel College in Murrieta, California. There, he befriends guitarist Jean-Luc LaJoie (Nathan Parsons) and accumulates the confidence to write and perform his own songs. He also begins dating and eventually falls in love with Melissa (Britt Robertson) but her cancer diagnosis jeopardizes their happy ending.

By casting KJ Apa and telling what is a relatively straight-forward romantic drama, the Erwin Brothers hope to appeal to non-Christian audiences. They’ve got the right idea. At points, you might even forget this is a faith-based film. There are a couple of conversations about God and the couple’s beliefs but they come (mostly) naturally. They’re getting to know each other and are both attending a Christian College. The topic's going to come up, as is romance and the power of song. Here’s where we get some highs and disappointments. Shania Twain plays Jeremy’s mother (Gary Sinise plays his father) but she doesn’t contribute to the soundtrack at all. That’s a missed opportunity. On the upside, KJ Apa proves himself a talented singer and guitar player. You believe he would become a star. The fact that he’s handsome and charismatic help. On the kissy-kissy side, the stars play off each other well. They're convincing as a couple.

I Still Believe had a short theatrical run before the pandemic forced it onto VOD. This is an instance where the pandemic kind of did it a favor. Even devoted church-goers would be disappointed after paying anything more than the price of a rental to see this. It has scenes where people play music but it isn’t a musical. There are sparks between the leads but we’re not THAT invested in their romance. Even when the cancer diagnosis comes, our world doesn't feel like it’s collapsing. For the first half of the movie, the biggest dramatic point is whether Jean-Luc will learn the two are dating. I Still Believe is nearly two hours long and aside from a “miracle” (which in hindsight raises several questions), nothing elevates it above "bland".

Not that you should be getting together with people outside of your household right now but if you were and needed a movie that would appeal to both your 13-year-old niece and grandma, I Still Believe would be a good choice. It looks good for a low-budget production (well done, cinematographer Kristopher Kimlin). The chemistry between the stars is convincing. The musical choices are solid. You also won’t remember it down the line. Based on true events or not, this could’ve used something to spice it up. (November 4, 2020)

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sonic-cinema · 4 years

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It’s been three years since I’d done a proper rewatch of all three films in @martinscorsese_’s trilogy of faith, #thelasttemptationofchrist, #kundun and #silence. I didn’t expect to do a longer piece on the three after finishing it up, but you will be able to find one coming on Sonic Cinema. This was one of the most meaningful viewing experiences I had when I did it in 2017, and it only deepened with this rewatch. Scorsese’s films delve into the nature of faith, the struggle towards faith, and how difficult faith is to hold on to in a society and time that rejects those ideas. The ways they approach those ideas are complicated, and not for everyone, but these beautifully crafted pieces of art have more to say on spirituality than most other films you will see. #religiousfilms #martinscorsese #cinema #movies https://www.instagram.com/p/B-4ubxSJj-H/?igshid=ea2b300czb6w

#thelasttemptationofchrist #kundun #silence #religiousfilms #martinscorsese #cinema #movies

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bloafx · 3 years

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The Girl Who Believes In Miracles Is Dumb Sometimes!

The Girl Who Believes In Miracles Is Dumb Sometimes! @MoviesAreDumbS talks about this #FaithBasedFilm and how it is dumb sometimes! #MoviesAreDumbSometimes #MADS #ReligiousFilms #InTheTheaters #ChristianMovie #Hercules #LateOnThisOne

Faith based movies, like every other genre out there, can be dumb sometimes. If you’re expecting some big lecture or something on how this movie is dumb because it is a Christian movie, then move along, sir or ma’am. Movies Are Dumb Sometimes worries more about the technical and storytelling aspects of television and film! The Girl Who Believes In Miracles is no different from any Hollywood…

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#Christian Movie #Faith-Based Film #Film #Hollywood #Movie #Religious Movie #The Girl Who Believes In Miracles #Theater

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yenikaynak · 4 years

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In the name of Allah. We have initiated the Islamic Movies in English website. Please spread the word. Thanks a lot.

#islamic movies #islamicmovies #islamicfilms #islamic films #religious films #religiousfilms #religiousmovies #religious movies #islamic movies in english

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kathleenkaiser · 7 years

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Review of NOVITIATE – Rated R – 2 hrs 3 mins.

NOVITIATE – Rated R – 2 hrs 3 mins. Starring Margaret Qualley, Julianne Nicholson, Dianna Agron, Denis O’Hare and Melissa Leo Written and Directed by Margaret Betts – we venture into the early 1960’s Catholic Church, as we meet newly single mother Nora Harris (Julianne Nicholson) and her daughter Cathleen (Margaret Qualley), who seems to be heading down the path of righteousness, amongst the…

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#filmnews #FilmReviews #MargaretQualley #MavenPictures #MelissaLeo #moviereviews #newmoviereleases #Novitiate #NovitiateMovie #Religiousfilms #SonyPictureClassics

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louisewoodcock · 4 years

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Some snakey 🐍peaks at my religious Shakti film shit on Monday with @deadly_doris beautiful assistance! More to come... 💚🐍💚 #shakti #kalima #shiva #film #jodorowsky #itwasgonnahappen #holywork #skull #ritual #art #liveartist #poet #religiousfilm #holytext #aloevera #wellness #shadowwork #shadowhealth #life #menses #bloodmagick @chiarascurohealing https://www.instagram.com/p/CFNcfssgIZq/?igshid=1kfrs9ee3r0s6

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louisewoodcock · 4 years

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Aghori love 🖤 film clips from ritual for Shakti on Monday 🙏🏼🐍🙏🏼 #shakti #kalima #death #shiva #film #jodorowsky #itwasgonnahappen #holywork #skull #tantra #ritual #art #liveartist #poet #religiousfilm #holytext #aloevera #wellness #shadowwork #shadowhealth #life #menses #bloodmagick @chiarascurohealing (at Hulme) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFNrCxegN87/?igshid=s0jbmpu5kaua

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louisewoodcock · 4 years

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Some snakey 🐍peaks at my religious Shakti film shit on Monday with @deadly_doris beautiful assistance! More to come... 💚🐍💚 #shakti #kalima #shiva #film #jodorowsky #itwasgonnahappen #holywork #skull #ritual #art #liveartist #poet #religiousfilm #holytext #aloevera #wellness #shadowwork #shadowhealth #life #menses #bloodmagick @chiarascurohealing (at Hulme) https://www.instagram.com/p/CFNbsjlAUxk/?igshid=mrrmt8o2qdk9

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jollyuncle · 5 years

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#punjabiishortfilm, #ptc, #ruhanijolly, #moolmantr, #bhupindersingh, #MalkeetRauni, #rabanijolly, #gurunanakdevji, #AMANJOLLY, #malkeetrauni, #punjabistars, #filmstar, #punjabiactor, #punjabifilms, #vancouver, #bmpfilms, #canada, #tvstars, #punjabifilm, #greatpersonality, #superstar, #jollyuncle, #punjabifood, #punjab, #filmshooting, #religiousfilm, (at Delhi, India) https://www.instagram.com/p/B326I7hnTgp/?igshid=2utbc8vqiap4

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